1974S type 1 and type 2 mintmarks???

coppercoins

Just wondering why it is that 1979 and 1981 get all the press, and there are actually two different styles of mintmarks on the 1974S coins that have received very little attention. Doesn't make sense to me.

The type 1 (left) mintmark was used from 1968 through 1974 and the type 2 (right) was used from 1974 through 1979. In fact, the one on the right is the same punch we call the filled S for 1979. Anyone care to discuss this one?

edited: Oh, by the way, both of these photos are of 1974S proof cents.

DNADave

Now I have to go through all my 1974 coins.

Which is more rare?

coppercoins

At this point I don't know. The only thing I do know is:

1. I have seen 14 1974S proof coins after discovering the difference. 5 were type 1, 9 were type 2.
2. I have been through 4 rolls of 1974S business strike cents. Three were large date, one was small date. All mintmarks were type 2.

At this point it's looking like type 2 is more common on the proofs, and if type 1 exists on the business strike coins they are probably the scarcer of the two.

My quest is to figure out if there are indeed six different 1974S cents, and which would be tougher of them:

large date business strike, type 1 mintmark
large date business strike, type 2 mintmark
small date business strike, type 1 mintmark
small date business strike, type 2 mintmark
large date proof strike, type 1 mintmark
large date proof strike, type 2 mintmark

I cannot confirm at this time that all of these exist, but I can confirm that all proof strike coins from 1974 are large date.

coppercoins

Add those to the known 1974P and D mint large and small date types, and that would make a set of ten different 1974 cents if all large and small date 1974S cents share both mintmark types. That would make this set larger than the 1982 set.

AJ2525

FWIW: I just checked my 1974 PS and I have a Type 1.

Please keep up the interesting posts, especially with pictures. I'll have to check my business strikes another time.

SkidMark

I would have to say the answer to the question is not enough people know about the diffrent mintmarks to collect them all in big demand but I think that you will see an interest in variaties and mintmarks in the near future. I am new to searching coins and am just starting to notice all the diffrances in the lincolns that I am searching threw. Just got a dansco 8100 to start filling and notice the 1974 only has a s mint mark no 1 and 2 type. So what I will have to do is add pages for the diffrent types. I geuss my point is that with out your post or me looking in the books I have I would not know about the 74s type 2. Knowledge is a key thing. thanks for the post.

MJ

Edit = Just saw the other posts boy thats a big list. thanks for the info back to the searching

coppercoins

I'm finding that one of the easiest ways to tell the difference between the two mintmarks is that all of the type 1 mintmarks I have seen (and all mintmarks on 1973S cents) have a dent in the center of the mintmark. Additionally, the top serif doesn't touch the bottom curve like it does on the type 2.

coppercoins

Okay, I jumped too quickly on this one. I have a correction.

All four rolls I had been through were small date, and all had the type 2 mintmark.

I have now been through a roll of large date and all had the type 1 mintmark.

So at least we now know that both mintmark types are available on the business strike coins, but so far only the two different varieties have popped up - small date with the filled mintmark, and large date with the clear mintmark.

TonedPeaceNut

Tad a/k/a Supercoin had mention the 1974 Type I vs. Type II mintmarks in one of his posts a couple of years ago.

Perhaps someone can do a search. I'm pretty sure he indicated that his research showed 1 was much more rare and might even be more rare than the 79/81 types.


TPN

coppercoins

I only found this thread on Ikes and the mintmark styles. Evidently one of them is quite scarce on the Ikes, but I have not found such evidence yet on the Lincolns.

TonedPeaceNut

Would the mint use different punches for different denoms???? Might be a stupid question -- but I don't know the answer. If the punch broke and Supercoin is right -- then the rarity, although not the same depending on the original mintage, should be about the same.

????


TPN

Murphy

Had to look at mine too. It's type-1 - dent in center and all.

Thanks for informing those of us who were in the dark about this. I have a new mint mark variety cent to look for now.

mozeppa

hey C.D.!

i've found a size of mint mark difference on the 52-D lincolns as well (or am i imagining it?)

some have a squatty looking D...while others have a much larger D.


whats your take on this one?

JRocco

Hey Chuck, any idea why there is that center dent?

coppercoins

Mozeppa - I'd have to get back to you on that one. Could be possible.

Jrocco - I'd have to say it happened when the letter was being machined on the punch - but it could be something as simple as damage on the punch. Dunno exactly why, but I've noticed the dent on 1973S cents, and in fact it has been mistaken as an RPM on earlier years (1970-1971). This particular punch style was in use from 1968 through 1974 when it was replaced by the other.